Hey all! I've got my grandpa's 1986 F-150 that I'm working to get running and rolling. It's an XLT Lariat with a 4.9: straight six and a four-speed stick. I was working on the carb, mostly cleaning, when I went to try and start it. I put the key in the ignition, turned it and where I usually felt slight resistance before the starter cranked, the key in the ignition went all the way without the starter grinding. Now a key isn't needed for the ignition switch to turn but no starter. The radio and other electrical stuff comes on, but there's no resistance and the starter doesn't turn. Could this be the ignition switch? I'm fairly new to Fords and I'm not a mechanic, so any help/assistance is welcome!
Jaydog.

 

Do you know if the truck has a tilt wheel?
If you push the turn signal lever forward the wheel may tilt.
If so I hear there is a part inside that can break and cause an issue.

The IGN switch is at the bottom top side of the column and uses 1 screws to hold it in place.
You can remove it after the screws are removed by lifting it up to clear the rod that runs from the key down to it.
Once off the rod and so you can see it you can take a small screw driver and put it in the slot the rod fits in and move the switch to start it.
Dave ----

 

Take the collar off around the column that is next to the cluster. Turn the keyswitch back and forth, you should see a rod on top of the column moving back and forth. Turn the key as far as it will go and while holding the key to start, take some pliers and grab that rod and push it down farther toward the cluster. If the truck starts, your ignition switch actuator piece is broken. Very common problem, you can get this piece at the parts store. Here's what it looks like.

 

Ask for a Dorman 83280:

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-9625-83280.aspx


Your local parts store probably has one sitting on the shelf. Available from multiple online sources, too.

 

I went and checked before work this morning and it doesn't have a tilt steering wheel. Does this affect the kind of fix it might need?

 

I could be wrong with the tilt wheel and the part that breaks that Franklin showed in his post.
Do follow his post on what to do to check it out by removing the cover on the steering column.

Then report back with what you find and we can help from there.
Dave ----

 

Will do! I'm working some long shifts but I should be able to get to it Wednesday AM. Thanks!

 

Some people do not realize they have a tilt wheel, Ford was sort of sneaky the way they activate it. If the hole where the turnsignal lever goes into the side of the column is tee shaped, you have tilt wheel. Support the wheel and lift it ever so slightly while you push the turnsignal lever toward the dash. When you think you are going to break the lever off, the wheel will suddenly loosen up. Check the shape of the slot first though.

I had my truck 3 or 4 years before someone told me I had it, and then I didn't believe them till they showed me how it worked.

 

What work keeping you away from the truck how dare it! LOL
We under stand how else are you going to pay for parts right?
Dave ----

 

Luckily, this is a pretty cheap part so it won't take me long to rustle up some scratch to pay for it!

 

Hold on. If you do have tilt wheel and it is your problem, you will find out the old one comes out easily because it's in two pieces. Getting the new one back in which is in one piece and not broken is another story. It's not much fun.

 

I've seen the youtube videos on trying to replace that part. I fear it's going to test my "screw it, I'll pay someone to do this" threshold.

 

I went to the Ford dealer a long time ago and they let me talk to their "steering column guy". If I remember right you;

Pull the steering wheel with a puller.

Take the turnsignal switch and that stuff out and fold it of the way till you can get to the old broken piece and pull it out.

Find some screws that will screw into the tilt pivot pins. Then take a claw hammer and pull those pins.

Then get your new piece ready, get some snap ring pliers and press down on the upper part of the column, and take the snap ring loose. The guy said ALWAYS KEEP PRESSURE ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN, DON'T LET GO. While keeping pressure on the column, slowly shift the assembly down enough so you can get the new piece in place. Then while always keeping pressure on it, carefully slide it back up and get that snap ring back in place. Once the snap ring is back in place you can relax and not have to keep holding it together. You can then put it all back together.

 

Franklin2, thanks for the info! From what I've seen, it's that part from the snap ring on that scares the crap out of me. I'm going to see about tackling it this weekend but now my front gas tank is leaking more so I may focus on sealing that sucker up first. Plus the oil was last changed in 2012 and the oil filter says it was installed in 2010. *sigh.

 

Here's a homemade tool to save you a few dollars:


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post18663784